Alamo vs. ME... Am I saving any time renting?

[scout68]

This is our first time flying into MCO and our flight lands around 5:40 PM.

We have always driven so this is new to us. If we choose to take ME we plan on getting a rental from the car care center the following day (love having a car on site) but if the time savings is significant we would like to pick up the rental from the airport.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Alesia]

Assuming you are willing to let ME take you luggage to your resort, ME will probably be slightly faster.

 

[scout68]

Thanks for the quick response.

Is this is due to the time it would take us to claim our bags?

 

[Brer Chump]

Renting is faster.

When we go we always get a car. Boys get the rental and girls take ME (for luggage delivery). The boys usually make a grocery run and by the time we are pulling in to the resort, the girls have checked in and just reached the rooms. Last time we did not do a grocery run and we beat the girls on ME by 1/2 hr. The grocery stops occur at the Vineland Wal-Mart and take about 30-45 minutes to complete because that store is always a nightmare when we go.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Renting is faster.

When we go we always get a car. Boys get the rental and girls take ME (for luggage delivery). The boys usually make a grocery run and by the time we are pulling in to the resort, the girls have checked in and just reached the rooms. Last time we did not do a grocery run and we beat the girls on ME by 1/2 hr. The grocery stops occur at the Vineland Wal-Mart and take about 30-45 minutes to complete because that store is always a nightmare when we go.

If you had to stop and get luggage(no one is riding ME) the timing is about the same. Now, since the OP is planning on renting a car at some point it may be easier to just take care of it at the airport that day rather than useing time another day to do so.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think rate is a big factor, too. Last time I rented a car in Orlando, it was $250 at the CCC, close to that at the Dolphin - but only $78 at the airport!

 

[Alesia]

I think rate is a big factor, too. Last time I rented a car in Orlando, it was $250 at the CCC, close to that at the Dolphin - but only $78 at the airport!

Price would be the deciding factor for ma as well.

Time-wise, there won't be more than a 30 minutes difference either way and there's no way of knowing for sure which way would be faster, there are just too many variables.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Check out Alamo rates - they just released some awesome weekly rates for November ( not sure about other months )

We've done both and I prefer to rent my own car and pick up for the airport. I've done the ME a few times and if you are lucky enough to get on a full bus that pulls out almost as soon as you board then it's quicker.

As an example, we stayed at POR for a GG. I waited in line at ME for about 10 minutes, then got on the bus and waited another 15 min before we left. The drive was about 35 min into Disney and then the bus stopped at OKW, POFQ and THEN POR, so that added another 15 mins to the total. That was over an hour.

When we drive we usually don't check bags so we'll rent from Alamo or one of the other onsite car companies so we walk to our car and go. The drive time is still about 35 minutes. So it cuts down quite a bit on transportation time.

 

[scout68]

We have a res. with Alamo (full size car for 10 days $233).
Thanks to the great folks on the transportation thread for the codes. We are going to have to check our bags so we plan to split up upon arrival ( me to Alamo and my wife to the baggage claim) I hope this will save some time.

 

[schoen]

I always feel like it is faster to rent a car. Sure, you have to pick up your luggage, but that has never been something that takes too much time for me. Then you MIGHT have to wait in line for the car, although I have never waited more than 2-5 minutes. Then you are 100% on YOUR time. There are no buses to wait for, no other resorts to stop at, no annoying folks to deal with. I love the the convenience of the rental car.